Women in the Bible

Many views of women and their roles in human society are expressed in the Bible, some positive, some negative. These views have been further interpreted in various ways during the history of the Church.

Two books in the Old Testament (Ruth and Esther) and two in the inter testamental Apocrypha (Judith and Susannah) are named after the women whose lives and deeds feature in them. The women show considerable courage and resourcefulness:

Esther successfully defends her people, the Jews, against a conspiracy to destroy them

Judith kills an invading general

Ruth, a widow, is a model of faithfulness and self-sacrifice, whose devotion to her mother-in-law leads to her marriage to Boaz, and hence to her becoming the ancestress of King David and of Jesus

Susannah successfully defends her honour against some scheming men.

The ‘good woman'

The book of Proverbs praises women who are wise, declaring that ‘a wife of noble character is her husband's crown', and providing a long description of the ‘good wife' who is wise, kind and very able, managing home, family, and her business affairs with considerable skill (Proverbs 31:10-31).

‘Dangerous' women

Delilahwas the wife of the hero Samson. She was persuaded by the Philistines, Israel's enemies at the time, to discover the source of Samson's extraordinary strength. Eventually, Samson confided his secret and Delilah betrayed him, bringing him ultimately to his death

Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah, one of the soldiers of King David. Attracted by her beauty, David began a relationship with her. When she became pregnant, David arranged for Uriah to be killed and then took her to be his wife. As the object of David's desire, Bathsheba was therefore viewed subsequently as the catalyst for adultery and murder

Queen Jezebelfeatures in the Old Testament as a woman who led her husband Ahab into the worship of false gods. He then persecuted God's prophets and committed murder. Jezebel's name has become synonymous with shamelessness and wickedness, and is used by Margaret Atwood in her novel The Handmaid's Tale as the name of a sexually corrupt night-club.

Some women in the New Testament

The Virgin Mary

The New Testament describes how JesusChrist, the son of God, was born miraculously to a virgin, Mary. Since Christ, by obedience to God, brings new life, he is often described as a ‘second Adam', and Mary too is seen as a direct contrast with Eve who brought death into the world.

Anna

‘gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem' (Luke 2:38).

Women followers of Jesus

In the New Testament several women are described as being followers of Christ, such as:

Martha and Mary of Bethany, sisters who offered Jesus hospitality at their home in Bethany

Mary Magdalene, traditionally identified with the sinner (prostitute) who reformed and followed Christ, anointing his feet with perfume and wiping them with her hair (Mark 14:3). Later in the story, she was the first person to see the risen Christ (John 20:11-16).

Women are also later seen playing a significant role in the growth of the Early Church through the book ofActs and the letters written to newly-formed groups of Christians which are contained in the New Testament.

The Whore of Babylon

In the final book of the Bible, Revelation, a ‘great prostitute', dressed in scarlet and sitting on a scarlet beast, is described as being responsible for untold evils and adulteries, and being:

‘drunk with the blood of God's people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus' (Revelation 17:6).

She is also described as the Whore of Babylon, an association with the hugely strong earthly kingdom that took the Jews into exile as slaves for many years (see Big ideas: Exile).

The Medieval Church

The medieval church tended to stress the contrast between Eve and the Virgin Mary, leading to a polarised view whereby women were seen as either pure and virginal, or as temptresses and whores. Such attitudes are examined in Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, where the Wife of Bath rejects the idea of virginity as being a morally superior state, while the Clerk's Tale of patient Griselda demonstrates the view that women should be pure and docile. Many medieval commentators adopted a strongly anti-feminist stance, using negative figures such as Eve, Delilah and Bathsheba to support their case.

Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles

In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, commentators' views on biblical women were widely discussed in literature. Perhaps the most well-known work was Tess of the d'Urbervilles, where Thomas Hardy controversially described the ‘fallen' Tess, mother of an illegitimate child, as ‘a pure woman'.

Related topics

Other cultural references

1Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.2The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.3The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name.4Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea, and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.5The floods covered them; they went down into the depths like a stone.6Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.7In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble.8At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.9The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them. I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.10You blew with your wind; the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty waters.11Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?12You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them.13You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.14The peoples have heard; they tremble; pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia.15Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed; trembling seizes the leaders of Moab; all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.16Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O Lord, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased.17You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.18The Lord will reign forever and ever.19For when the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them, but the people of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea.20Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing.21And Miriam sang to them: Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.22Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water.23When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah.24And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?25And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them,26saying, If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.27Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water.

1Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.2The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.3The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.4Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.5The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.6Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.7And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.8And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.9The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.10Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.11Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?12Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.13Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.14The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.15Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.16Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.17Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which thy hands have established.18The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.19For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.20And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.21And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.22So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.23And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.24And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?25And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.27And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

English Standard Version

King James Version

1And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died.2And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim.3Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, for he had 900 chariots of iron and he oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for twenty years.4Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.5She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment.6She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you, Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun.7And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand?8Barak said to her, If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.9And she said, I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.10And Barak called out Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh. And 10,000 men went up at his heels, and Deborah went up with him.11Now Heber the Kenite had separated from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far away as the oak in Zaanannim, which is near Kedesh.12When Sisera was told that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor,13Sisera called out all his chariots, 900 chariots of iron, and all the men who were with him, from Harosheth-hagoyim to the river Kishon.14And Deborah said to Barak, Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go out before you? So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with 10,000 men following him.15And the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword. And Sisera got down from his chariot and fled away on foot.16And Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth-hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left.17But Sisera fled away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.18And Jael came out to meet Sisera and said to him, Turn aside, my lord; turn aside to me; do not be afraid. So he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug.19And he said to her, Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty. So she opened a skin of milk and gave him a drink and covered him.20And he said to her, Stand at the opening of the tent, and if any man comes and asks you, Is anyone here? say, No.21But Jael the wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand. Then she went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple until it went down into the ground while he was lying fast asleep from weariness. So he died.22And behold, as Barak was pursuing Sisera, Jael went out to meet him and said to him, Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking. So he went in to her tent, and there lay Sisera dead, with the tent peg in his temple.23So on that day God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the people of Israel.24And the hand of the people of Israel pressed harder and harder against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

1And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.2And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.3And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.4And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.5And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.6And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?7And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.8And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.9And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honor; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.10And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.11Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.12And they showed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.13And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.14And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.15And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.16But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.17Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.18And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.19And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.20Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and inquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No.21Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.22And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will show thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.23So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.24And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

English Standard Version

King James Version

1And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died.2And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim.3Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, for he had 900 chariots of iron and he oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for twenty years.4Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.5She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment.6She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you, Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun.7And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand?8Barak said to her, If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.9And she said, I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.10And Barak called out Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh. And 10,000 men went up at his heels, and Deborah went up with him.11Now Heber the Kenite had separated from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far away as the oak in Zaanannim, which is near Kedesh.12When Sisera was told that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor,13Sisera called out all his chariots, 900 chariots of iron, and all the men who were with him, from Harosheth-hagoyim to the river Kishon.14And Deborah said to Barak, Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go out before you? So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with 10,000 men following him.15And the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword. And Sisera got down from his chariot and fled away on foot.16And Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth-hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left.17But Sisera fled away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.18And Jael came out to meet Sisera and said to him, Turn aside, my lord; turn aside to me; do not be afraid. So he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug.19And he said to her, Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty. So she opened a skin of milk and gave him a drink and covered him.20And he said to her, Stand at the opening of the tent, and if any man comes and asks you, Is anyone here? say, No.21But Jael the wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand. Then she went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple until it went down into the ground while he was lying fast asleep from weariness. So he died.22And behold, as Barak was pursuing Sisera, Jael went out to meet him and said to him, Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking. So he went in to her tent, and there lay Sisera dead, with the tent peg in his temple.23So on that day God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the people of Israel.24And the hand of the people of Israel pressed harder and harder against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

1And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.2And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.3And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.4And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.5And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.6And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?7And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.8And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.9And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honor; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.10And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.11Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.12And they showed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.13And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.14And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.15And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.16But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.17Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.18And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.19And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.20Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and inquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No.21Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.22And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will show thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.23So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.24And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

English Standard Version

King James Version

1Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.2And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.3In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, the secretary, to the house of the Lord, saying,4Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may count the money that has been brought into the house of the Lord, which the keepers of the threshold have collected from the people.5And let it be given into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord, and let them give it to the workmen who are at the house of the Lord, repairing the house6(that is, to the carpenters, and to the builders, and to the masons), and let them use it for buying timber and quarried stone to repair the house.7But no accounting shall be asked from them for the money that is delivered into their hand, for they deal honestly.8And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.9And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord.10Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, Hilkiah the priest has given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.11When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.12And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying,13Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.14So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her.15And she said to them, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Tell the man who sent you to me,16Thus says the Lord, Behold, I will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read.17Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched.18But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard,19because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord.20Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place. And they brought back word to the king.

1Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.2And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.3And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,4Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:5And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house,6Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.7Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.8And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.9And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.10And Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.11And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.12And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,13Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.14So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.15And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,16Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:17Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.18But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard;19Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.20Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.

English Standard Version

King James Version

1The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:2What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?3Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink,5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;7let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.8Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.9Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.10An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.12She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.13She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.14She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.15She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.16She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.17She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.19She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.20She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.21She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.22She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.23Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.25Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.27She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:29Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.31Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

English Standard Version

King James Version

1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.2This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.3And all went to be registered, each to his own town.4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.10And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!15When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.19But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.21And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.22And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord)24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.25Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.27And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,28he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,29Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;30for my eyes have seen your salvation31that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.33And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed35(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.36And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin,37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.38And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.39And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.40And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.42And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.43And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,44but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,45and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.48And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.49And he said to them, Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?50And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.51And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.52And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.22And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;23(As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.40And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

English Standard Version

King James Version

1It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him,2for they said, Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.3And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head.4There were some who said to themselves indignantly, Why was the ointment wasted like that?5For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor. And they scolded her.6But Jesus said, Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.7For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.8She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.9And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.10Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.11And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.12And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?13And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him,14and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?15And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.16And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.17And when it was evening, he came with the twelve.18And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.19They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, Is it I?20He said to them, It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me.21For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.22And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, Take; this is my body.23And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.24And he said to them, This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.25Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.26And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.27And Jesus said to them, You will all fall away, for it is written, I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.28But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.29Peter said to him, Even though they all fall away, I will not.30And Jesus said to him, Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.31But he said emphatically, If I must die with you, I will not deny you. And they all said the same.32And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, Sit here while I pray.33And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.34And he said to them, My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.35And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.36And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.37And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour?38Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.39And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words.40And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him.41And he came the third time and said to them, Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.42Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.43And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.44Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.45And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, Rabbi! And he kissed him.46And they laid hands on him and seized him.47But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.48And Jesus said to them, Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me?49Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.50And they all left him and fled.51And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body. And they seized him,52but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.53And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together.54And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire.55Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none.56For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree.57And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying,58We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.59Yet even about this their testimony did not agree.60And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?61But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?62And Jesus said, I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.63And the high priest tore his garments and said, What further witnesses do we need?64You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision? And they all condemned him as deserving death.65And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, Prophesy! And the guards received him with blows.66And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came,67and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.68But he denied it, saying, I neither know nor understand what you mean. And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed.69And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, This man is one of them.70But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.71But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, I do not know this man of whom you speak.72And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times. And he broke down and wept.

1After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.2But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.3And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.4And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?5For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.6And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.7For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.8She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.9Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.10And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.11And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.12And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?13And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.14And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?15And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.16And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.17And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.18And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.19And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?20And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.21The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.22And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.23And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.24And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.25Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.26And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.27And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.28But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.29But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.30And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.31But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.32And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.33And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;34And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.35And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.36And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.37And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?38Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.39And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.40And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.41And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.42Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.43And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.44And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.45And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.46And they laid their hands on him, and took him.47And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.48And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?49I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.50And they all forsook him, and fled.51And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:52And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.53And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.54And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.55And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.56For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.57And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,58We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.59But neither so did their witness agree together.60And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?61But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?62And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.63Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?64Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.65And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.66And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:67And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.68But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.69And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.70And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.71But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.72And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

English Standard Version

King James Version

1Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.3So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.4Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.5And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there,7and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.8Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;9for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.10Then the disciples went back to their homes.11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.12And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.13They said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.14Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.15Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.16Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned and said to him in Aramaic, Rabboni! (which means Teacher).17Jesus said to her, Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, I have seen the Lord - and that he had said these things to her.19On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, Peace be with you.20When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.21Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.22And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit.23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.24Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.25So the other disciples told him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.26Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you.27Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.28Thomas answered him, My Lord and my God!29Jesus said to him, Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;31but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

1The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.2Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.3Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.4So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.5And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.6Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,7And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.8Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.9For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.10Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.11But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,12And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.13And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him.14And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.15Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.16Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.17Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.18Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her.19Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.20And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD.21Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:23Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God.29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.30And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

English Standard Version

King James Version

1Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters,2with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.3And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns.4The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.5And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.6And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly.7But the angel said to me, Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her.8The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.9This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated;10they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while.11As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction.12And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast.13These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast.14They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.15And the angel said to me, The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.16And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire,17for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.18And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.

1And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:2With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.3So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.6And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.7And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.8The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.9And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.10And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.11And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.12And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.13These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.14These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.15And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.16And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.18And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

The Christian Bible consists of the Old Testament scriptures inherited from Judaism, together with the New Testament, drawn from writings produced from c.40-125CE, which describe the life of Jesus and the establishment of the Christian church.

1. Term for a worshipping community of Christians.
2. The building in which Christians traditionally meet for worship.
3. The worldwide community of Christian believers.

The first Book of the Bible, containing an account of God's creation of the universe, of earth and of humans, then his dealings with the family of Abraham.

The Bible describes God as the unique supreme being, creator and ruler of the universe.

According to Genesis (the first book of the Old Testament), Adam is the first human being, made in the image / likeness of God, placed in the Garden of Eden and given dominion over the earth.

According to the book of Genesis in the Bible the first woman, said to have been created by God out of Adam's rib, to be his companion.

The fact that all created beings will inevitably die.

Disobedience to the known will of God. According to Christian theology human beings have displayed a pre-disposition to sin since the Fall of Humankind.

A snake. In some religions and mythologies seen as the embodiment of deceit, cunning and evil, and associated with Satan.

Also known as Satan or Lucifer, the Bible depicts him as the chief of the fallen angels and demons, the arch enemy of God who mounts a significant, but ultimately futile, challenge to God's authority.

The opposite of goodness; thoughts and actions which are in opposition to God's will and result in wrongdoing and harm. That which opposes God.

A place of beauty and perfection, associated in the Bible and literature with both the Garden of Eden before the Fall, and heaven. Often used as a synonym for heaven.

Someone who conveys God's message to human beings or speaks about the future sometimes through words alone, sometimes through dramatic actions.

Very important Jewish leader described in the Book of Exodus in the Old Testament. Moses led the Jewish people out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. Received the Ten Commandments form God.

1. In the Old Testament the Israelite nation's escape from slavery in Egypt and their journey to the land God had promised them.
2. The second book of the Old Testament which describes part of the journey.

The Old Testament frequently refers to Israel as the Promised Land allocated to God's children. Prophecies refer to it as his chosen nation and the one out of which the Messiah would come.

In the Old Testament the land where Joseph and Jacob found sustenance in times of famine, though later Israelites were held captive and made to work as slaves for the Pharaoh.

Descendant of Israel (Jacob) and occupant of Israel.

Books whose status as part of the Bible is disputed.

1. In the Bible members of the Hebrew race
2. Someone who belongs to the Jewish faith which believes in one God and the importance of Jewish Law.

In the Old Testament the second king of Israel, after Saul, anointed by Samuel to be king.

The name given to the man believed by Christians to be the Son of God. Also given the title Christ, meaning 'anointed one' or Messiah. His life is recorded most fully in the Four Gospels.

In the Old Testament, Samson was the last of the major judges who ruled Israel.

In the Bible these were traditional enemies of the Israelites in the territory of Israel.

In the Old Testament a noble Israelite of Hittite ancestry, in David's army. He was the husband of Bathsheba, the woman with whom David committed adultery. Eventually, Uriah was murdered on David's orders.

In the Old Testament the second king of Israel, after Saul, anointed by Samuel to be king.

A 'testament' is a covenant or binding agreement and is a term used in the Bible of God's relationship with his people). The sacred writings of Judaism (the Hebrew Bible). These also form the first part of the Christian Bible.

A 'testament' is a covenant (binding agreement), a term used in the Bible of God's relationship with his people. The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible. Its name comes from the new covenant or relationship with God.

The name given to the man believed by Christians to be the Son of God. Also given the title Christ, meaning 'anointed one' or Messiah. His life is recorded most fully in the Four Gospels.

Title (eventually used as name) given to Jesus, refering to an anointed person set apart for a special task such as a king.

Title used of Jesus in the New Testament and in Christian statements of belief.

The mother of Jesus. The Gospels state that Mary's pregnancy was brought about by the Holy Spirit and not through a human relationship; she is therefore known as the 'Virgin'.

Jesus is referred to as the Second Adam.

1. Genesis indicates that death was not part of the orginal plan for human beings but is one of the consequences of the Fall.
2. The death of Jesus is presented as opening up the possibility of reconciliation with God.

In the Old Testament, an elderly prophetess who, with Simeon, recognised Jesus as being the one who would bring forgiveness to the people of Israel.

Gospel - Literally 'good news' - used of the message preached by Jesus recorded in the New Testament.
1. The central message of the Christian faith
2. Title given to the four New Testament books which describe the life of Jesus Christ

Someone who conveys God's message to human beings or speaks about the future sometimes through words alone, sometimes through dramatic actions.

A Hebrew word meaning 'anointed one', describing someone who will be the saviour of the people. Title (eventually used as name) given to Jesus.

A sacred building used for worship. In the Bible, the Temple was the centre of Jewish worship in Jerusalem. In the New Testament, the term is also used as an image of the believer's physical body.

The city on a hill (Mt. Zion) which King David captured and made the capital of Israel. It was the site of the Temple built by Solomon and of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Today it is still a holy city for Jews, Christians and Muslims.

In Christian belief, the redemption of humanity was achieved by Jesus who in his death on the cross made a complete sacrifice sufficient to pay for the sins of the world.

Disobedience to the known will of God. According to Christian theology human beings have displayed a pre-disposition to sin since the Fall of Humankind.

Term used to describe the first centuries of the growth of the Christian church, initially in Jerusalem and then across the Roman Empire.

Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church.

A metaphor for the ancient city of Babylon, used in the Book of Revelation. The image of prostitution is used to convey the city's unfaithfulness to God's ways and its destructive influence upon others.

Belonging to the Middle Ages.

Set in the time of the judges, a story of the faith of a Moabite girl and her sacrificial love for her Jewish mother-in-law. Descended from Ruth is King David, the ancestor of Christ the Messiah.

Story (possibly an historical novel) set in the post-exilic Persian period, about a plot to commit genocide against the Jewish nation. A young Jewish girl, Esther becomes the queen of the king Ahasuerus and helps thwart the plot. The story illustrates the overruling providence of God and explains the origin of the Jewish feast of Purim.

A book of wise sayings (a kind of oriental textbook) training the young in wise and right living; stylistically, many short, sharp phrases, dramatic contrasts and unforgettable scenes from life; traditionally attributed to Solomon, Israel's 'wise' king.

Acts was written by the same author as Luke's gospel, and tells the story of the growth of the Christian church from its origins in Jerusalem to its establishment in Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, concentrating mainly on the mission work of Peter and Paul.

This is an example of apocalyptic literature, full of colourful imagery and symbolism. It contains seven letters to churches in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) who are commended for their zeal or criticised for lack of it. The overall message is that kingdom of God will triumph in the battle against evil and the book ends with a beautiful description of the Heavenly Jerusalem as the symbol of God's presence among humankind in a new heaven and earth.